"Redemption's Run": Chapter 7 continues

A Star Tribune serialized novel by Jane Fredericksen

Chapter 7

The story so far: Vince explains that he admires "classic beauty."

"Don't worry, Pete. I didn't mean I want you to be my father. You're way past that."

The old captain looked offended. "I beg your pardon."

"I mean, you're ready to start celebrating your golden years."

"Now, see here, Missy …" Pete wagged a menacing finger at her.

Kacie ignored it. "I mean, by the time I'm twenty, you'd be …" She counted on her fingers. "Almost eighty, right?"

Pete took a quick swig of water and slammed his bottle down. He glared at Kacie. "Well, I'm glad we had this little chat. Thanks so much for coming by. Now, if you don't mind, we old folks tire easily. Think I'll hobble on off to bed."

Kacie nodded. "Sure. First, can I ask a favor?"

Pete could barely contain his outrage. "A favor?"

"Yeah," Kacie said. "Do you have an extra chart I could borrow? I want to take the dinghy out tomorrow. It'd be nice to know where I'm going."

Pete eyed her balefully, but crossed to a drawer and pulled out a navigation chart of Lake Superior. Kacie reached for it, but he held it out of reach.

"You're not going alone?"

Kacie shook her head. "Oh, no!" She paused. "I'm going with Thea."

"Thea?" Pete frowned. "The only sailing Thea does is garage sales."

Kacie snatched the chart from him. "There's a lot about Thea you don't know. Besides, I've learned from the best. If the wind shifts, it's time to tack."

"Yes," Pete said. He still seemed suspicious. "But sometimes Superior surprises even the best. Stay close to shore, OK?"

Kacie smiled. "Why wouldn't I?"

* * *

That night, Kinney stood alone on the marina dock, beside a small white sloop, the True Wind. He stroked her lifeline, as if greeting an old friend.

A friend and betrayer, like the wind itself.

He quickly turned away to face the elegant wooden boat on the slip across from her. The Redemption.

He'd noticed her the very first day he returned to Bayfield. Any sailor would. A classic wooden sloop with sheer lines, varnished to gleaming perfection. Mahogany hull, Sitka spruce mast. High maintenance, but well worth the effort.

Now that he could touch her, he realized that she was even more beautiful up-close. He traced his fingers along the flawlessly smooth finish and let out a slow whistle of admiration. She'd be a fast one, no doubt.

He wondered if Vince even knew what he had.

And he, Kinney, would get to pilot her. He could set her free.

Maybe she could do the same for him, but he doubted it.

He unhooked the gangway gate and stepped aboard.

* * *

Thea stood by Kacie's bedroom door, arms crossed. "So who's going with you?"

Kacie turned down the comforter on her bed. "Bernie … I saw Bernie today." It wasn't a lie. She had.

Thea seemed relieved. "Bernie's a good guy, Kacie. I knew you two would hit it off if you spent more time together. Just make sure you check in from time to time."

Kacie nodded. "I will, Thea. Promise."

Thea left the room. Kacie shut the door behind her and exhaled. She knew that Thea would probably open it again, once she thought Kacie was asleep, but that didn't matter. Right now, Kacie needed to collect her thoughts and plan for tomorrow.

She sat down at her desk by the window and allowed her gaze to drift down to the dark marina. The silhouettes of boat masts stretched like black fingers toward the starry sky.

A gust through the open window stirred the wind chime on the latch. Kacie reached out to touch it.

* * *

At the marina, boat halyards clanked softly in the gentle breeze.

Kinney sat alone in Redemption's cockpit, a bottle of rare Scotch whisky beside him. He had to admit: Vince knew how to stock a galley.

"What do you want from me?" he murmured to the wind. He stared up at the halyards, searching for answers.

Instead, he heard her voice. "What if she were ours, Kinney?"

He closed his eyes.

Tomorrow: Chapter 7 continues.